Sutera plant named &#39;Sutcacomwi&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Sutera  plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by larger white flowers than other  Sutera  plants, earlier to flower, by thick stems and a growing habit that is compact.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Sutera diffusa

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Sutcacomwi’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Sutera,botanically known as Sutera diffusa.

The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of‘B0078-1’ and ‘B0079-1’. ‘B0078-1’ is a white flowering Sutera.‘B0078-1’ is not commercially available and is not known by anysynonyms. ‘B0079-1’ is a white flowering Sutera. ‘B0079-1’ is notcommercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither‘B0078-1’ nor ‘B0079-1’ has been patented.

As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 2001 inEnkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced bycuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a threeyear period. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristicsthrough successive propagations. The new variety is stable andreproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

This new Sutera plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US,only in zones 9 and 10 it is a perennial plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

-   -   a) exhibits white flowers;    -   b) has thick stems; and    -   c) exhibits a compact growth habit

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Sutera plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawing which shows blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color,the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of this new Sutera. The data which defines thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inEnkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 15 weeks oldplants, cultured in 10.5 cm containers, blossomed under natural light ina greenhouse.

Color readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Colorreferences are primarily to the RHS Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London. TABLE 1 Differences between the newcultivar ‘Sutcacomwi,’ its parents and a similar cultivar ‘Sutcacomwi’‘B0078-1’ ‘B0079-1’ ‘Sutcatrwhi’ Flower color White White White Lightlavender Stem thickness Thick Medium Thick Thick Plant habit CompactTrailing Compact Trailing Flower size Big Big Small Medium‘Sutcatrwhi’ is not patented.

-   The plant:    -   -   Classification.—Botanical: Sutera diffusa.        -   Parentage.—Female parent: A seedling named ‘B0078-1’ is one            of our seedlings from our B-generation of plants bred            in 1999. — Pollen parent: A seedling named ‘B0079-1’ is one            of our seedlings from our B-generation of plants bred in            1999.        -   Growth habit.—Compact.        -   Plant height.—15-18 cm.        -   Spreading area of plant.—20-25 cm.        -   Growth rate.—Rapid growing.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Branching habit.—Short internodes and on each knot more than            two appearing shoots give a plant that is more branched than            normal.        -   Blooming period.—From May until November.-   The stem:    -   -   Diameter.—2-4 mm.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Anthocyan pigmentation.—Absent.        -   Color of the stem.—137A.        -   Length of internode.—8-14 mm.        -   Pubescence.—Sparse.-   The foliage:    -   -   Phyllotaxis.—Opposite.        -   Shape of blade.—Broadly ovate.        -   Shape of blade apex.—Rounded.        -   Shape of blade base.—Shortly attenuate.        -   Leaf margin.—Crenate.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Texture.—Upper side: Smooth, glabrous — Lower side: Slightly            pubescent.        -   Length.—14-25 mm.        -   Width.—16-24 mm.        -   Thickness.—1-2 mm.        -   Depth of incision.—1 mm.        -   Color.—Upper side: 137A — Lower side: 137B.        -   Length of petiole.—1 mm.        -   Diameter of petiole.—1 mm.        -   Color of petiole.—137B.        -   Fragrance.—Musk.-   The bud:    -   -   Pedicel length.—8-14 mm.        -   Pedicel diameter.—1 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—137C.        -   Pedicel angle.—About 60 degrees from the stem.        -   Bud size.—Diameter: 1 mm — Length: 4-8 mm.        -   Bud shape.—Obovate.        -   Bud color.—85C.        -   Sepals.—Color: 137C — Shape: Erect calyx — Number: 5 — Size:            1 mm.-   The flower:    -   -   Flower diameter.—12-17 mm.        -   Tube length.—4-8 mm.        -   Throat diameter, distal end.—2-3 mm.        -   Tube diameter, proximal end.—1.5-2.5 mm.        -   Form.—Salverform.        -   Symmetry.—Radial symmetric.        -   Type.—Solitary, axillary.        -   Color.—Upper surface: N155C — Lower surface: N155C.        -   Corolla tube.—Cylindrical.        -   Corolla tube color.—8C.        -   Overlapping of petals.—Separate.        -   No. of petals.—5.        -   Shape of petals.—Gamopetalous, grown together at the base of            the petal, forming a corolla.        -   Petal lobe.—Length 4-7 mm — Width: 3-4 mm — Shape: Spatulate            — Apex: Rounded — Margin: Entire — Texture: Smooth.        -   Shape of sepals.—Gamopetalous, grown together at the base of            the petal.        -   Calyx.—Length: 6-8 mm — Diameter: 3 mm — Shape: Narrow,            linear — Apex: Acute — Margin: Entire.        -   Texture of the calyx.—Upper surface: Pubescent — Lower            surface: Pubescent.        -   Color of the calyx.—Upper surface: 137C — Lower surface:            137C.        -   Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx limb.—Absent.        -   Flower fragrance.—No fragrance detected.        -   Lastingness of a single flower.—Flowers stay open 8-11 days.-   The reproductive organs:    -   -   Number of reproductive organs.—1 pistil, 4 stamens.        -   Pollen production.—Very low.        -   Stigma color.—Light green 138D.        -   Stamen color.—Yellow 13A.        -   Stamen arrangement.—Didynamous.        -   Stamen type.—Basifixed.        -   Dehiscence of stamens.—Extrorse.        -   Ovary position.—Ovary superior, flower hypogynous.        -   Style shape.—Style terete.        -   Style length.—5 mm.        -   Pistil length.—8mm.-   Seeds: Only few seeds are formed, almost sterile plant-   The roots:    -   -   Type of roots.—Fibrous, color 155A.-   Physiological and ecological characteristics: No exceptional    physiological and ecological differences with other cultivars of    Sutera diffusa are observed.-   Propagation: Propagation is done by axillary cuttings. Tips of stems    are used, which take 6 days to initiate roots and 12 days to develop    roots.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Sutera plant named ‘Sutcacomwi,’ assubstantially illustrated and described herein.